Pirc: Austrian, 5...O-O 6.Bd3 Na6

Pirc: Austrian, 5…O-O 6.Bd3 Na6

Definition

The line 1.e4 d6 2.d4 Nf6 3.Nc3 g6 4.f4 Bg7 5.Nf3 O-O 6.Bd3 Na6 belongs to the Austrian Attack of the Pirc Defence. In the ECO code system it is normally catalogued under B09. The distinctive move 6…Na6 aims to redeploy the knight to c7 or b4, lending support to …c5 and placing pressure on d4 while avoiding early piece exchanges.

Typical Move-Order

1. e4 d6 2. d4 Nf6 3. Nc3 g6 4. f4 Bg7 5. Nf3 O-O 6. Bd3 Na6

Strategic Ideas

• For Black
  • …Na6-c7-e6 or …Na6-b4 targets the d5 and c2 squares.
  • Delayed …c5 break to undermine White’s centre.
  • Kingside remains flexible; Black can counter-attack in the centre or on queenside.
• For White
  • Rapid pawn storm: f4-f5, h2-h3, g2-g4 aiming at a direct king-side assault.
  • Typical set-up: Qe1-h4, Be3, 0-0-0, sometimes g4-g5.
  • Occupy the light-square complex (e5, f5, g4) before Black achieves …c5.

Historical Context

The Austrian Attack was a favourite of mid-20^th-century attackers such as Alexander Alechin (Alekhine), and later adopted by modern greats like Garry Kasparov in rapid events. The specific 6…Na6 plan gained traction in the 1970s, championed by Ljubomir Ljubojević and adopted in modern times by Pirc specialists Grischuk, Mamedyarov and the young generation of rapid-format players online. Its revival coincided with deeper engine prep showing that Black’s knight manoeuvre withstands early pawn storms.

Practical Usage

• Appears frequently in rapid and blitz because it sidesteps main-line engine theory after 6…c5 or 6…Bg4.
• Favoured by players who like unbalanced middlegames with chances on both flanks.
• Notorious “trap” for the unwary: 7. e5? dxe5 8.fxe5 Nd5! when Black gains the initiative.

Illustrative Game

[[Pgn| e4|d6|d4|Nf6|Nc3|g6|f4|Bg7|Nf3|O-O|Bd3|Na6|O-O|c5|dxc5|Nxc5| Qe1|Bg4|Kh1|Bxf3|Rxf3|Rc8|Qh4|Nxd3|cxd3|Qb6|f5|Rxc3|bxc3|Rc8|Bd2|Qb2 |arrows|g7g2,f7f5|squares|e4,d4 ]]

V. Kramnik – S. Mamedyarov, Dortmund 2011 Kramnik’s kingside build-up looked menacing, but Mamedyarov’s …Na6-c5-e6 hops, followed by …c5 and an exchange sacrifice on c3, neutralised the attack and led to Black’s eventual victory.

Key Plans Summarised

1. Black Knight Tour: Na6-c7 (pressuring d5) or Na6-b4 (hitting c2 and d3).
2. …c5 Break: Strikes at the base of White’s pawn chain, often prepared by …a6, …Rb8.
3. King Safety: Black sometimes meets g2-g4 with …Nxg4 and queenside counterplay.
4. White Pawn Roller: f4-f5, g2-g4-g5, h2-h4-h5—an all-in attack if Black is slow.

Interesting Facts

• In online bullet chess, the move 6…Na6 scores nearly 55 % for Black according to , a surprising figure for an opening once considered risky.
• Ljubomir Ljubojević famously joked: “A knight on a6 is either misplaced or about to become genius; in the Pirc it’s usually both.”
• The line often transposes to Modern Defence territory if Black plays …c6 and …b5.

When to Choose This Line

Opt for 6…Na6 if you are:

• Comfortable with asymmetrical pawn structures and piece play.
• Prepared for sharp double-edged positions where theory is less forcing.
• Looking to surprise Austrian-Attack aficionados who memorise the more common 6…c5 or 6…Bg4 lines.

Further Study Suggestions

• Study games by Alexei Shirov as Black and Richard Rapport as White for modern handling of the line.
• Analyse model endings where Black trades queens early; the knight on c7 shines in blockading e5.
• Experiment with engine sparring, forcing it to play White’s f-pawn advance to learn key defences.